A DEPOSED MINISTER. FOOTBALL ROWDYISM. ♦ –

Bush Advocate, Volume XVIII, Issue 490, 16 August 1906, Page 4

A DEPOSED MINISTER.

FOOTBALL ROWDYISM. ♦ -

♦ When the Hon. C. H. Mills wrote to Sir Joseph Ward, giving him au entirely free hand so far as he was concerned in the selection of his Ministry, it was thought that the hon. gentleman had thoroughly realised the peculiar responsibilities, which had fallen to the Premier-elect, and was perfectly willing to leave Sir Joseph Ward untrammelled by past associations in the formation of his Cabinet. Everyone at once considered that the hon. gentleman had acted in a handsome manner to the new Premier, bufc according to a recent article in the Pelorus Guardian, which is owned by the late Minister, he is not so well pleased as his letter to Sir Joseph

"Ward would indicate was the fact. Tlie Guardian remarks-.—" In his allotment of portfolios in the' new Ministry, Sir Joseph Ward has followed with remarkable docility the dictation of the Opposition press, notwithstanding his late Chief's repeated statements that there was absolutely no need for reconstruction. So far as Marlborough is concerned, the shelviug of Mr Mills will be a very severe blow. In the opinion of his opponents, as well as of his supporters, the province has never been represented by a member who so ably and so successfully advocated her claims. So much for his claims as a member. As an administrator of the Valuation Department, the Customs Department, and of the extremely delicate diplomacy in connection with the Cook Islands, the Premier wiil be exceedingly fortunate if the late Minister's successor is one-half so successful. Mr Duncan's obliteration is also incomprehensible. He is admittedly a practical and shrewd administrator of land matters and has the confidence of every farmer in the colony. His recent independent speech may be in a measure associated with his exclusion from the Cabinet. Putting aside Sir Joseph's apparent slur on the memory of his dead Chief, it may be said that the Cabinet will be acceptable to the people for the reason that the public dearly love a change. But to assert that, as a body, the Ministry are stronger, in the political sense of the word, than the Seddon Ministry, would be stating a proposition that is open to very strone question." Unfortunately for Mr Mills, the reference in the above to the " late chiefs repeated statements that there . was absolutely no need for re-construction," i • is a singularly unfortunate one in view ! of the remarks of the Hon. R. Mc-' Nab at Gore on Tuesday evening last. I As published yesterday, Mr McNab,! referring to his own appointment, made public for the first time the fact! that the late Premier had offered him a | seat in Cabinet in February, 1905, as Minister of Lands and Education. Mr Seddon had also expressed his intention of offering Mr Millar the portfolios of Marine and Labour, and also stated that if a further appointment were necessary the man to whom he would offer a post was Mr Powlds. "This showed," remarked Mr McNab, " that Sir Joseph Ward had formed the Cabinet as his late chief would have done had he lived, and that during the present year the Cabinet would have been reconstructed and the men now promoted would have been in Mr Seddon's Ministry." Comment on the foregoing is -unnecessary, as it is quite clear that had Mr Seddon lived a change in the personnel of "the Ministry on the lines adopted by Sir Joseph Ward would have been undertaken.

Much attention has been drawn during the present football season in several parts of the colony to displays of rowdyism at matches both on the part of the players and of spectators. The good name of this district in this respect has hitherto been preserved, but what is said to be a disgraceful scene occurred on the local ground yesterday, when a visiting " barracker " and a local resident engaged in a prolonged pugilistic encounter. The incident was an absolute disgrace to the grounds. It may be expected that the police will take note of the occurrence, but in the meantime the authorities of the Union should enquire into this alleged display of rowdyism. If the patronage of the public is desired, it is to be expected that the grounds will not be available for pugilistic encounters during the progress or at the conclusion of a match. Any conduct of this kind must be sternly repressed, and individuals who have a tendency to fly to fisticuffs as an elaboration of a dispute should be disqualified from attending matches. If it once becomes known that fighting and rowdyism can be carried on with impunity, persons who have any regard for their respectability will be conspicuous by their absence at future matches. The officials of the Union, in the interests of clean sport, should make a searching enquiry into yesterday's incident, and take the necessary steps to prevent any recurrence of such disgraceful proceedings. ______

An inebriate, who was bailed out, was before the Court this morning, and was fined os by Mr T. Lindsay Buick, J.P. Future meetings of the Hawke's Bay Education Board are to be held on the second Tuesday of every month, instead of the first, as heretofore. The social organised by the ladies of the Hospital Bazaar Committee on behalf of the Dannevirke Band proved to be a very pleasant and enjoyable affair. The floor of the Oddfellows' Hall was graced by fully 45 couples, who danced merrily to excellent music supplied by Mesdames Mackay, Burmester, and the Misses Pettit, Robertson, and Parker. The floor was in splendid order and the gathering went with a swing and enthusiasm until after midnight. A toothsome supper was provided by the ladies to which ample justice was done, and brought to a conclusion a pleasant gathering, hot the least pleasant feature of which is that it will nett the Band about £6. For Oolds in the Head and Influenza, Woods' Great Peppermint Cure, 1/6 & 2/6 perjßottle.

Sir Wilfred Lauriar, in response to a message from yir Joseph Wa«"d, js despatching to New Zealand a number of the best specimens of Canadian moose deer. The Makotuku Tennis Club are having a meeting on Saturday evening next, the business being to see what can be done towards improving the present ground. The courts are iii a' nicely sheltered spot, but are very rough and need a top dressing badly. *:' r * : ■*'■••.•■■•' Members of the Ohaipber^of Commerce are reminded that the ordinary monthly meeting will be , be)<i to^fght, when matters concerning the'representation of the distriot at the coming bition will be discuss^ Z. Oilier important business will alsobe transacted and a full attendance ii desjred. The sale of Mr Chris-inson's :dairy cows held by Messrs Abraham* and Williams at Kiritaki on Tuesdaylast, proved to be one of the most successful clearances held this yeary. the cows ranging from £4 to £9, the average price beiug £6 7s, or an advance of about £\ per head on usual prices. - The Treasurer of the Hospital Trustees, Pastor Ries, has been notified that the sum of £424 19s ld— the proceeds of the late bazaar in aid of the Hospital —has been paid to the hospital account by Mrs Bickford, the secretary of the movement. A few pounds more have still to be collected. The H.B. Education Boari has resolved that a circular be issued to ell teachers informing them that itbas been reported to the board that teachers generally are not taking advantage of the technical classes as they should, and pointing out to. them that the board, in making future appointments, will take into consideration the fact of the applicants having attended technical classes. SSxx - - ■>' - - -•■